EFFECT OF L-CARNOSINE ON DIURNAL VARIATIONS IN PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF MID-GESTATION YANKASA EWES DURING THE HOT-DRY SEASON

Abstract

The study was designed to determine diurnal variation in physiologic parameters of mid-gestation Yankasa ewes, and the effects of L-carnosine administration during the hot-dry season. Thirty Yankasa ewes were divided into three groups: Group I ewes were pregnant and administered daily with L-carnosine, Group II were pregnant and Group III non-pregnant. Group I was administered with L-carnosine at 100 mg/kg dissolved in 10 ml of distilled water for one week. Group II and III were administered 10 ml distilled water for the same period. Physiologic parameters of rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) were taken bihourly on days 3 and 7 of L- carnosine administration, from 06:00 hour - 19:00 hour. The dry-bulb (DBT) and wet-bulb (WBT) readings were recorded concurrently with aid of hygrometer at the experimental site. Values of RT and RR obtained in the morning (07:00 h-11:00 h) were lower (P 0.001) than those obtained in the afternoon (12:00 h-19:00 h). The RT and HR values obtained were within the normal range for sheep, but RR was above the normal range throughout the study period, indicating that the ewes adopted increasec RR in dissipating body heat. Carnosine administration had insignificant effect on physiological parameters, except for slight insignificant decreased in RR, RT and increased HR in L- carnosine administered group. The HR was higher in the pregnant group relative to the non-pregnant group, while the RR was significantly (P < 0.05) higher relative to non-pregnant at 11:00 h. The DBT significantly (P 0.001) correlated with RT in all the groups. The RR in non-pregnant group correlated more (r = 0.8982; r = 0.8176; P 0.01) with DBT than the pregnant group (r=0.8176; P 0.05). In conclusion, carnosine did not exert effect on physiologic parameters, but physiological status significantly influenced the RR in Yankasa ewes.